How to get Elite USAirways Status by using US Airways Preferred Trial.

Back in October, I decided I was ready to settle down with an airline. I didn’t really care which airline it was overall. I just wanted convenience, great status benefits, and an easy way of getting it.

I originally had my eye on American Airlines for status. I flew them a few times already and they have many flights out of Washington-Reagan (DCA). But I began to waver when I saw US Airways Trial Preferred Program. For just $200, I could start with Silver Preferred Status and earn it with just 7,500 miles. I was already planning on flying more than that amount, so I had that in the bag.

I briefly considered paying the $400 for Gold Preferred Status, but I was still unsure whether or not I could hit 15,000 miles flown. I was afraid I wouldn’t get any status if I didn’t hit the amount needed, and I couldn’t tell from the website whether or not that was true. (I am now pretty sure you can get Silver after your Gold trial if you fail to hit 15,000 miles, but hit 7,500).

A note about US Airways Trial Preferred Program. You must fly on flights operated by US Airways. Even though United/Continental flights count towards status normally, they will not on a trial–even if there is a code-share flight. This made some flights difficult for me, and a little more expensive than usual. But all in all, as you’ll see in my next few posts, the effort was more than worth it.